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Thomas B. Macaulay

Thomas B. Macaulay Quotes

Former Secretary at War

Thomas B. Macaulay, born on October 25, 1800, in Ireland, and died on December 28, 1859, in the United Kingdom, was a prominent political figure in the Victorian era. He served as the Secretary at War, playing a significant role in the British government.

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Famous Thomas B. Macaulay Quotes

“A Grecian history, perfectly written should be a complete record of the rise and progress of poetry, philosophy, and the arts.”

Should Art Philosophy History Records Progress Written Art History

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“Facts are the mere dross of history. It is from the abstract truth which interpenetrates them, and lies latent among them, like gold in the ore, that the mass derives its whole value; and the precious particles are generally combined with the baser in such a manner that the separation is a task of the utmost difficulty.”

Whole Facts Lying Values History Mass Tasks Gold Difficulty Mere Separation Abstract Particles Latent Dross

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“The Spartan, smiting and spurning the wretched Helot, moves our disgust. But the same Spartan, calmly dressing his hair, and uttering his concise jests, on what the well knows to be his last day, in the pass of Thermopylae, is not to be contemplated without admiration.”

Knows Wells Lasts Moving History Hair Admiration Disgusting Dressings Wretched Last Day Concise Thermopylae

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“The Puritan hated bear-baiting, not because it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the spectators.”

Pain Religion Pleasure History Atheism Bears Cruelty Hated Agnostic Spectators Puritan British History

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“He had done that which could never be forgiven; he was in the grasp of one who never forgave.”

Done History Forgiven British History

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“The highest eulogy which can be pronounced on the Revolution of 1688 is this that this was our last Revolution.”

Lasts History Revolution Highest Eulogy British History

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“A history in which every particular incident may be true may on the whole be false.”

May Whole History Particular Being True Incidents

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“History begins in novel and ends in essay.”

Ends History Novel Essays

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

“The best portraits are perhaps those in which there is a slight mixture of caricature; and we are not certain that the best histories are not those in which a little of the exaggeration of fictitious narrative is judiciously employed. Something is lost in accuracy; but much is gained in effect. The fainter lines are neglected; but the great characteristic features are imprinted on the mind forever.”

Source: Machiavelli : the Founder of the Political

“Those who compare the age in which their lot has fallen with a golden age which exists only in imagination, may talk of degeneracy and decay; but no man who is correctly informed as to the past, will be disposed to take a morose or desponding view of the present.”

Men May Age Past Imagination Views History Golden Compare Fallen Decay Golden Age Morose

Author:Thomas B. Macaulay

About the Author

Born: October 25, 1800
Died: December 28, 1859
Known for: Former Secretary at War
Quotes: 238

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